Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Orange County?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $8,300/year less, or $107,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Columbus over Orange County?

Average tuition in Columbus is $8,300/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $107,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Columbus and Orange County private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Orange County

Columbus averages $8,300/year less for private school (66% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $107,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$20,800/yr	-$8,300
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$11,200/yr	-$3,200
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$34,800/yr	-$11,300
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$17,000/yr	-$6,800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$20,800/yr	-$8,300
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$25,500/yr	-$10,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Columbus saves $107,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $215,800.

Sample Schools

Columbus

Columbus School for Girls

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Columbus Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

DeSales High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Watterson Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

Ohio private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Minneapolis vs Columbus →

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.